(VERY RARE - ST Approval)

The Path of Prime is a newly developed area of study. Its existence cannot be confirmed anytime before the late nineteenth century, though owing to the secrecy of the Tremere it may have existed for far longer before the other clans found out about it. To date, it is believed to be the closest that the Tremere have gotten in their attempts to re-create their lost powers of True Magick. It involves the use of Vitae to perceive and, at the higher levels, manipulate Quintessence, the source of creation from which True Mages draw their power. Generally, only the eldest of Tremere possess this potent path, though some ancilla have been taught the lower levels. NO vampire outside the Tremere Clan is believed to possess this path, and any that do would immediately find the entire clan arrayed against them, should they be discovered.

Note: The Path of Prime may not be chosen as a new character's primary path unless he was a Mage before the Embrace with at least one level in the Sphere of Prime. Otherwise, the mystical understanding involved in the use of Quintessence just isn't there. Other Thaumaturges of Clan Tremere may learn this as a secondary path following the normal rules, however.

Another Note: Players desiring for their characters to posses this Path are strongly urged to read up on the rules for Mages in 'Mage: The Ascension' before they allow their characters to use it.

Sense Quintessence

As the name implies, this allows the Thaumaturge to sense the proximity and relative strength of Quintessence. This applies to True Mages, Nodes, Tass or another Vampire making use of the Path of Prime at any level. Any source within one hundred yards is picked up.

See Quintessence

At this level, the Thaumaturge can actually see the weavings of Quintessence as they take place. After a source has been detected with Sense Quintessence, the Kindred can use this power to learn more about it. This applies to True Mages casting sphere magic and Vampires using and Thaumaturgy Path or Ritual. Also, Quintessence being channeled by a Mage (or by a Thaumaturge skilled in the higher levels of this path) from Tass or a Node can be seen and tracked back to it's source.

1 Blood Point and 1 Willpower

'Drink' Quintessence

At this point in ability, the Thaumaturge may use Quintessence to sustain himself. By channeling Quintessence from a target into himself, the Thaumaturge is able to nourish himself as if he had drank blood. The Quintessence does not actually turn into blood. Instead, its power is used to greatly increase the potency of the blood already in the Thaumaturge, causing it to be more sustaining. This may not be attempted unless the Thaumaturge has at least Three Blood Points in his system already.

(Line of Sight, 1 WP)

Counter Quintessence

This level of the Path of Prime is perhaps the most frightening to True Mages, the few who are aware of it's existence. The Thaumaturge may use the power of his vitae to make it more difficult for True Mages to work Quintessence for Sphere Magic.

(1-4 BP, decreases Mages ability by 1- difficulty increases by 1, 4 is max per turn)

Use Quintessence

This, the pinnacle of understanding of the Path of Prime, is known to only a handful of Tremere. Now, that Thaumaturge can actually channel quintessence to fuel his use of Thaumaturgy. While this Quintessence may not come from a live Mage, as with the level three Drink Quintessence ability, it is still a potent power and many kindred who can use it have taken to carrying around articles of Tass with them.

(1 WP, no more than 10 points of Quintessence per night)